This is a prayer guide for St. Paul’s day of prayer for Abilene, Wednesday, August 19. Join others as we follow along with the guide or pray as you see fit. You can view the guide below!
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Day of Prayer
August 19, 2020
Effective prayer cannot be reduced to a magic formula. God does not respond to our requests because we have the right ritual. He is more interested in our hearts than in our words. John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, said, “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
St. Paul United Methodist Church is partnering up with other churches in our city to pray for Abilene and the rest of the world.
Our “Day of Prayer” will be the 19th of every month and I want to encourage you to join with us in praying for our city and the world in which we live. It has been said that nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer. It is prayer that connects our heart to the heart of God and moves His hand in our life.
Prayer Guide
Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things; the simplest and the sublimest; the weakest and
the most powerful; its results lie outside the range of human possibilities—they are limited only by the omnipotence of God. ~ E.M. Bounds
- Pray for wisdom for world leaders as they make decisions that affect the lives of so many. Pray that they will communicate calmly, truthfully and clearly, and that their messages are received and followed.
- Pray that in times of tension and even violence, world leaders will have a supernatural calm. Pray that they will make proactive decisions and serve those they lead well
- Take some time to pray for your local and state leaders by name. Even when you don’t agree with policies, can you pray for their wisdom and stamina? Pray that they will lead with compassion and grace.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.
On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11
- Pray for comfort for those suffering from this terrible virus, that they will find healing in the hands of the Great Physician.
- Pray for the removal of the COVID-19 along with a vaccination to be available to all persons. Let us pray, “Father, let your kingdom come and your will be done.”
- Pray for the loved ones of the people who have passed away because of this virus. Ask the Lord to comfort each of them with His unfailing love and grace.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
- Pray for wisdom and resilience for churches all over the world. May the Lord be their strength and guide as they respond to the challenges of the virus facing their communities and churches.
- Pray for the global church, that God’s people would be a vessel of healing, care and comfort in this time of pain.
- Pray for the Lord to unify His church through this crisis, that we will become salt and light in our communities.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19
- Pray for those who are have lost their livelihood or income and are suffering from financial loss during this time of crisis. Ask the Lord to be their provider.
- Pray against the fear of this pandemic. God has not given us a spirit of fear. With social distancing practiced and social events being canceled, ask the Lord to raise up a new chapter of building meaningful and deeper relationships with each other.
- Pray for the people of God to focus on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. Pray for us not to be weighed down by the growing pandemic, but to trust the Lord and understand what is “his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
- Pray for the hope and faith to believe that God is bigger than the pandemic. Pray for eyes open to his restoration in the world, even if it doesn’t look the way we’d like it to.
- Pray for those who are recovering from months of isolation. Pray that God will put people in their lives to help them rebuild what has been lost, and give them courage to reach out for help.
- Pray for financial recovery for those who have lost jobs or businesses. Ask God to show you ways you can reach out and help those people in your life who may need extra care in this difficult season.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
- Pray for the students from preschool to college. Pray that God will grant them a passion and grace to learn new things.
- Pray for the teachers to have patience, grace, love for their students, and a love of teaching! Pray that their enthusiasm flows down to the students entrusted to them for this school year.
- Pray for the administrators of our local schools from the secretaries and principals to the school boards and superintendents that God would give them wisdom to lead.
- Pray for the parents of each student for them to give the love and wisdom each child needs as they learn and grow in maturity.
“After three days they found [Jesus] in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers”
Luke 2:46-47